Pressure tank sprinkler system with secondary supply



July 4, 1.944.

PRESSURE TANK H. N. RIDER Filed July 13, 1942 is Sheets-Sheet 1 gr I Q a 1 7 Q a} 3 a U a j I] Q X I I I hwy/M16? B'nvcntor attorney July 1944- .H, N.-RIDER 2,353,116

PhEss-URE TANK SPRINKLER SYSTEM WITH SECONDARY SUPPLY .FiledJuly 13, 1942 6 Sheets-Sheet 2 (Ittotneg J ly 4 1944- I H. N. RIDER I ,116

PRESSURE TANK SPRINKLER SYSTEM WITH SECONDARY SUPPLY' Filed July 13, 1942 6 Sheets-Sheet -3 K a Mm Zhwentor July 4, 1944. RIDER 2,353116 PRESSURE TANK SPRINKLER SYSTEM WITH SECONDARY SUPPLY Filed July 15, 1942- 6 Sheets-Sheet 4 Harry M 4% Gttorncg July 4, ,H, N 2,353,116

PkEss URE TANK SPRINKLER SYSTEM WITH SECONDARY SUPFLY .File'd July 13, 1942 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 k dfl'j 8%. Q Zmventot rag (Ittorneg July 4, 1944. 1-1; N. RIDER 2,353,116

PRESSURE TANK SPRINKLER SYSTEM WITH SECONDARY SUPPLY Filed July 13, 1942 '6 Sheets-Sheet 6 (Ittomeg Patented July 4, 1944 UNITED STATES-PATENT OFFICE I PRESSURE TANK SPRINKLER SYSTEM WITH SECONDARY SUPPLY Harry N. Rider, Youngstown, Ohio, assignor to Automatic Sprinkler Company of America, Youngstown, Ohio, a corporation of Delaware Application July 13, 1942, Serial No. 450,659

11 Claims.

supply is undependable, and is intended for occupancies that are not rated as hazardous risks or where only a limited number of sprinklers are expected to open before a fire is extinguished.

The principal object of this invention isthe provision of a sprinkler system incorporating a pressure tank as a primary source of water supply and with means for bringing into the sprinkler system any auxiliary water supply that may be available.

A further object of the invention is the provision of a sprinkler system wherein the primary water supply source comprises a pressure tank wherein pressure within the tank results from the automatic release of compressed gases thereinto.

A still further object of the invention is'the provision of a pressure tank sprinkler system adapted to make use of an auxiliary water supply, when the same is available, at such times as the system goes into operation as in controlling a fire.

The system comprises a conventional sprinkler system such as is well known in the art with its primary source of water supply comprising a tank in which pressure of expanded compressed gases released thereinto serves to force the water through the sprinkler system so as to control a fire. In addition thereto, a connection, controlled by an automatically actuated valve, estab- 7' lishes communication with an auxiliary water supply, such as may be available and which may comprise a private water system which may include an elevated tank or which may comprise a invention resides in the combination and arrangement of parts and in the details of construction hereinafter described and claimed, it being understood that changes in the precise embodiment of the invention herein disclosed, can be out departing from the spirit of the invention.

The invention is illustrated In the accompanying drawings, whereinz i v Figure 1 is a side elevation with parts broken away showing the complete organization of the pressure tank sprinkler system with secondary supply. 1 V

Figure 2' is a cross sectional elevation of an automatic valve shown in Figure 1.

Figure 3 is aside elevation with parts broken away showing the complete organization of the pressure tank sprinkler system with secondary supply incorporating a modification adapting'it for use with open sprinklers and heat actuated devices for bringing the system into operation."

Figure 4 is a cross sectional elevation of an electrically actuated automatic valve shown in Figure 3.

Figure 5 is a cross sectional elevation of a modified-form of pneumatically actuated valve capable of being used with the sprinkler system illustrated in Figure 1.

Figure 6 is a cross sectional elevation of 'a modified form of electrically actuated-valve capable of being used with the sprinkler system illustrated in Figure 3. I

This invention constitutes an improvement to that set forth in Patent No, 2,277,873 of March 31, 1942, on Pressure tank sprinkler system.

'By referring to the drawings and Figure 1 in particular, it will be seen that a sprinkler system has been formed that is capable of providing automatic sprinkler protection for buildings and other enclosures located in areas where there is no city water supply or where the same is substandard. The sprinkler system comprises a storage tank l0 suitably connected to a riser H and a plurality of sprinklers I3 positioned on suitable sprinkler piping l2.

tem, will result in pressure being appliedto the fluid contents of the tank Ill, means has been provided whereby compressed gases, preferably nitrogen, may be released into the tank Ill through a suitable regulator so that the liquid contents of the tank l0 may be forced outwardly through the sprinklers so as to satisfactorily control a fire. Still referring to Figure 1, it will be observed that the tank I has removably mounted thereon a compressed gas cylinder I6 of a type commonly used in various industrial applications. The delivery end of the compressed gas cylinder I is positioned within a portion of a gas release mechanism generally indicated by the numeral I1, which mechanism is also connected by suitable tubing I8 to the suction chamber |5 atop the upward extension I4 of the riser I I heretofore referred to. compressed gas cylinder I6 communicates through the gas release mechanism H, which incorporates a suitable pressure regulator, with the tank I5 by way of suitable tubular connection l9; A safety valve is incorporated in the tubular connection I9 to eliminate by venting to the atmosphere, the possibility of accidental application of too great a pressure to the tank Ill and sprinkler system. Still referring to Figure 1, it will be observed that the riser H and its various parts communicating with the pressure tank In include a drain connection 2 I, a filling connection 22; through which a non-freezing solution may be supplied to the sprinkler system riser II and distributing pipes I2. A check valve 22A is positioned immediately thereinun'der in the riser II to confine such non-freezingfluid to the riser II and distributing pipes I2, a check valve 23, a fire department connection 24 through which water may be pumped by a fire department, a manually operated master control valve 25 and an auxiliary or secondary water supply connection 2'0. The auxiliary or secondary water supply connection 26. The auxiliary or secondary water supply connection 26 comprises a tubular connection communicating with the uppermost portion of an automatic valve 2 1 which in turn controls the flow of fluid to the sprinkler system from a secondary fluid supply source 28'. A secondary master control valve 29 controls the flow of fluid entering the system from the secondary supply source, both the master control valve 25 and the secondary master control valve 29 are normally open. In order that the automatic valve 21 controlling the secondary fluid supply may be caused to open at such times as the pressure tank sprinkler system goes into operation in control ling afire, a tubular connection 30 is provided between the actuating portion 3| of the automatic valve 27 and the compressed gas conveying tubular connection l9 heretofore referred to.

At such times as fire occurs in the areas protected' by the sprinkler'system of this invention, and one or more of the sprinklers |'3 opens permitting the discharge of fire extinguishing fluid from the fluid filled system, the suction chamber l5 originates a change in pressure which is conveyed by way of the tube I8 to the gas release mechanism I! which in turn causes the contents of the compressed gas cylinder IE to be released, through a suitable regulator, into the pressure tank I9, the compressed gases flowing by way of the tubular connection I9 which also communidates with the tubular connection 39' leading to the actuating portion 3| of the automatic valve 21 controlling the secondary fluid supply source. The compressed gas entering the pressure tank I will. cause the fluid contents thereof to be discharged upwardly through the riser II and the sprinkler piping |2 and outwardly through the various sprinklers I3 thereon. Simultaneously, the'compressedgas causes the automatic valve 2'! The delivery orifice of the to open and brings into communication with the sprinkler system riser II the fire extinguishing fluid from the secondary supply source 28. When this occurs the water from the secondary supply source may enter the sprinkler system riser M if the pressure thereof is in excess of that existing in the tank I0 and the riser I I. If the pressure thereof is lower than that originally existing in the tank I0 and the riser II, as a result of the release of the compressed gases thereinto, the check valve 26a prevents water from the secondary supply from entering the system until a majority of the fluid contents of the pressure tank have been exhausted through the sprinkler system thereby lowering the pressure sufficiently to permit the water from the secondary supply source to enter the system.

By referring now to Figure 2 of the drawings, a cross sectional elevation of the automatic valve Zl'and its actuating portion 3| may be seen. In Figure 2 the body portion of the valve 2'! is indicated by the numeral 2'! and an inlet orifice thereof is indicated by the numeral 32, the inlet orifice communicates with the interior 33 of the valve body 21 by way of a seat ring 34 which may be closed by means of a clapper 35, the clapper 35 being pivoted to the valve body 21 by means of a pivot 35. The clapper 35 includes in its construction a gasket retaining disc 31 which in turn positions a U shaped annular gasket 38 in satisfactory position for forming a tight closure between the interior 33 of the valve body 21 and the inlet orifice 32 thereof. The clapper 35 is provided with a latch portion 39 which is adapted to be retained beneath a keeper forming a portion of a keeper mechanism 4| which in turn is pivoted to the valve body 2'! by means of a pivot 42. A secondary U shaped annular gasket 43 is afiixed to the keeper mechanism 4| and is adapted to register with, so as to close, a seat ring 44 forming one end of a passageway from the valve interior 33 through which passageway an L shaped bracket 45, which forms a part of the keeper mechanism 4|, is positioned. A bolt 46 holds the assembly comprising the keeper mechanism 4| and the bracket 45, in one unit so that the outermost end of the L shaped bracket 45 may receive in a workable manner, motion imparted by a connecting rod 48 through a pivot 49, the connecting rod 48 being vertically positioned and adapted to receive motion from a piston block 50 which in turn forms a part of actuating mechanism 3| of the valve. The piston block 50 is normally urged upwardly as is the connecting rod 48 and the outermost end 41 of the L shaped bracket 45, by a coil spring 5| positioned about the connecting rod 48 between the piston block 59 and the lower wall of the actuating mechanism 3|. Positioned immediately above the piston block 50 and across a cavity 52 in the actuating mechanism 3 I, there is a diaphragm 53 formed of rubber or other suitable resilient material which is normally positioned in the manner illustrated in Figure 2, immediately beneath a cap portion 54 of the actuating mechanism 3|. A centrally positioned opening 55 is adapted to receive and retain the tubular connection 30 which as heretofore described, communicates with the tubular connection I9 which conveys the compressed gases from the gas release mechanism I! to the tank In.

In order that the pressure tank sprinkler system with secondary supply, which is thesubject of this invention, may be used in furnishing fire protection for areas, wherein openisprinklersfare deemed necessary n desirable, the system. may be constructed as illustratedin Figur ,3. wherein apressuretank 51 comprises the'p'rimaryjwater supply, the tank 51 being suitably cjonnectedtoa riser 58and avpluralityof pen sprinklersjjll positioned'on suitable" sprinkler piping 59. lThe tank 51 and the lower vportionof the riser 58 are filled with a suitable fire extinguishing "fluid. A tubular connection communicates with the riser 58 at a point above the fluid'level therein and connects with the discharge orifici'e'Qo'fan automatic valve .62 which in turn controls-the entrance of fluid ffron 'a seeondary fsupply-fsource '53. Theriser 58 istprovidejd with various connections necessary including. afdr'ainf or fill,c6nmotion 54, a master control' valve t anda fire department connection. 55; check valves I61. and 58 are positioned in"theri'ser'58; and th tubular connection 6| respectively, Positioned uponjthe tank 51 there is acompre ss'ed gascylinder .69 the delivery end of whichds insertedfintoandfconnected to a gas releasemechaniiii-10; In this adaption of the invention, thegas'rlease mechanism 10 is actuated by pressure generatingheat actuated devices 1.! which. are oonnected'by means of suitable tubing 12 to. thejga's release mechanism 10. The heat actuatedfpressure lgen erating devices as well ,as a pressure responsive release mechanism incorporated, inIthe bompressed gas release mechanism 19, comprise in part the subject matter of Patent No. 2,099Kl69 of November 16, 1937, to E.. A-.Lowe et al whiere in their complete structure and operatingprin- .ciples areset .forth. They are thereiore. .wel l known in the art. In the presentdisclosure, an increase of pressure. originated by the heat actuated devices 1| causes the gas release mechani s' m 10 to release the compressed gases. from the cybinder 69 and discharge the same intolthe-tank 51 by way-of a tubular connection' 13. A convene tional' pressure actuated switch 14 communicates with the tubular connection 13 as doesa safety valve 15. It will thus'be observed that atsucn.

times as a fire occurs in. the area .under .supe'rvision of the heat actuated devices 1l the com:- pressed gases from the cylinder sawm be-discharged into the tank 51 andthu's c'ause the fluid contents thereof to be.dischargedupwardly' through the riser58, the sprinkler piping5-S. and from the open. sprinklers 69', thus providing prompt. and thorough .sprinklen' protection; It will also be observed that. when theco-mpressed gases are released from the cylinder Bllqjng'pmg. ,1

brought into connection with the sprinklersystem riser 58 by way of the automatic valve 62 andthe tubular connection 5 l.. The check valve 68 "prevents fluid from the secondary source from entering the riser 58until the pressure of the'prima'r'y fluid becomes less than the pressure of the secondary' fluid. Thusf the"sprinkler systeirnfin'a'y make use of both the fluid contentsof the-tank 51 and such other fluid supply as maybe available. a

a will e seen that the sprinkler system illusbyfmeans of apivot 99.

3', respectively, are possible.

trated in Figuljefl, and heretofore described as beingequipped'with open sprlnklerstil' may also be formed as a: preaction sprinkler system by utilizing conventional fused sprinklers. Such a sys tem actuated by theheat actuated devices 1|, detects a fire and delivers the fire extinguishing fluid to the sprinklers in advance of their actual opening, thus, at such timesasthe sprinklers do fuse and'open, the fluid is immediately available for discharge. I By referring now to Figure 4 a cross sectional elevation of the automatic valve 62 forming a part of the invention as illustrated in Figure 3 may be seem-the valve 62 being positioned in the tubular connection 6| communicating with the riser 58 of the sprinkler system and with the secondary supply source 63 and controlling the entranceof fire extinguishing fluid from the secondary supply53. The valve comprises a body portion which is indicated by the number 52 forming achamber 19 therein in which a clapper 89 is positioned by means of a pivot 8| which also engages the valve body 52., The clapper 89 is adapted to close an inlet orifice 82 which orifice communicates with the valve chamber 19 by way of. a seatring 83 which in turn is adapted to receive an annular U shaped gasket 84 which is aflixed to the clapper by means of a disc 35. The disc 85 is aifixed to the clapper by means of .a centrally positioned screw 86. A latch portion .81 formed on the clapper 80 extends outwardly to one side and is adapted to be retained under a keeper, 88 forming a part of a keeper mechanism 89 which in turn is pivoted to the valve body 62 An L shaped bracket 91 is aflixed toand forms a part of the keeper mechanism 89 being bolted thereto by means of a bolt 92, the L shaped bracket 9! extending downwardly througha secondary seat ring 93 which is positioned :in an opening in the valve body 62 which opening is adapted'to be closed .by means of the keeper mechanism 89 anda secondary annular U shaped gasket-94 aflixed thereto. At such times as the clapper Si! is open the keeper mechanism 89 and the U shaped annular gasket 94 are adapted to register with and thereby close the opening throughytheyseat ring 93. In order that motion may be imparted to the keeper mechanism 89 through the. L shaped bracket 9|, the outermost sure actuated switch 14 connected to the tubular connection 13 which conveys the compressed gases from the cylinder 69 to the tank 51 closes .an electrical circuit through'wires 16, 11 which wires in turn connect with the solenoid 96.

The solenoid 95 as well as the L shaped lever 9| are enclosed in a housing 91 which is provided with an opening 98 adapted to receive a drain pipe 99.

"The drain is provided so that any liquid passing through the opening formed by the seat ring 93 in the valve bod 62 will be automatically drainedaway from this portion of the device.

To those experienced in the art, it is obvious that modifications of the automatic valves 21 and 62 heretofore described in connection with the sprinkler systems illustrated in Figures 1 and In Figures 5 and 6 of the drawings; modified forms of such valves are illustrated. A modified valve'adaptedto be pneumatically actuated and adapted for use, for example, with the sprinkler system illustratedin Figure 1, is shown in Figure Sand comprises a valve body I having an inlet orifice IM and an outlet orifice I02, the valve body forming a valve chamber I03 in which chamber a clapper I04, pivoted by means of a pivot I to the valve body I00, is adapted to close the inlet orifice IOI which is provided with a seat ring I06 at its point of communication with the valve chamber I03. The clapper I04 is provided with an extending latch portion I01 which isv adapted to be held down by means of a keeper I08 pivoted by means of a pivot I09 to the valve body I00. A separate non--reseatingv latch I I0 is positioned on the pivot I09 and is adapted to prevent the clap per I04 from reseating upon the seat ring I 06 after the clapper I04 has been unlatched. The non-reseating latch I I0 is held in operatable position by means of a spring positioned about the pivot I09. The clapper I04 moves the non-reseating latch IIO upwardly in order to swing past the same when it opens. The spring about the pivot I09 will return the non-reseating latch I I0 to the position shown in Figure 5 so that the clapper I04 will come into engagement therewith and be incapable of reseating. Attached to the keeper I08 by means of a pivot III there is a keeper bar II?! which passes centrally through and is affixed to a flexible diaphragm II3 which is affixed at its outermost edge to the annular edges of an opening H4 in the valve body I00. It will thus be observedthat the diaphragm II3 permits the horizontal movement of the keeper bar I I2 while at the same time forming a fluid-tight closure across the opening II4 of the valve I00. Positioned adjacent the diaphragm H3 and formed in a manner so as not to interfere with the flexibility thereof, there is a plate I I5 provided with a centrally positioned opening through which thekeeper bar II2 passses. The plate II5 serves to prevent the damaging of the flexible diaphragm" I I3 at such times as the clapper I04 is open, by forming a structural support therefor. The latch bar II2 extends beyond the plate H5 and terminates in a T shaped member II6 which is adapted to be engaged by a pair of lever arms II1 which in turn form part of a lever II8 pivoted-to a mechanism housing H9 of the device by means of a pivot I20.' The lower end of the lever arms IIB are pivoted by means of a pivot IN to a con necting rod I22 which has a piston block I23 formed on the opposite end thereon. A coil spring I24 is positioned between a portion of the mechanism housing II 9 and the piston block I23. The mechanism housing I I9 includes a cup shaped depression I25 across which a flexible diaphragm I26, preferably formed of rubber or other suitable resilient -material, is positioned, the diaphragm I26 being positioned by means of a cap I 21, the diaphragm, positioned between the cap I21 and the pistonblock I23, normally rests against the said cap I21. The cap I21 is provided with a centrally positioned orifice I28 which is adapted to receive a tubular connection I29 through which compressed gases may be directed against the diaphragm I26 at such times as the sprinkler system to which the device is attached goes into operation. Such operation resuits-in the movement of the diaphragm I26 toward the cup like depression I 25 and the resulting movement of the piston block I23 and anti-reseating latch connectingv rod I22, which in,,turn moves the lever arms H8 and I I1 so as to move the keeper bar IIZ horizontally and thus unlatch the clap- ,pe'r I04 bymoving the keeper I08 away from the latch thereof.

By referring now to Figure 6, a further modification. of the automatic valve may be seen which modification comprise the structure very similar to that heretofore described and illustrated in Figure 5 with the exception that an electrically actuated solenoid is employed to originate the motion necessaryfor unlatching the clapper.

In Figure 6 the body of the automatic valve is indicated by the numeral I3I; itis provided with an inlet orifice I32 and an outlet orifice I33 and forms a valve chamber"l34. A clapper I35 is pivoted to the valve body I3I by means of a pivot I36 and serves to close the inlet orifice I32 at a point where it communicates with the valve chamber I34 by way of a seat ring I31. A latch portion I38 of the clapper I35 extends outwardly at one side and'is adapted to be retained beneath a keeper I39 which in turn is pivoted to the valve body I3I by means of a pivot I40. An MI is also provided. A keeper bar I42 is pivoted to the keeper I39 by means of a pivot I43 and extends outwardly of the valve body I3I through an opening I44, passing centrally through and aflixed in a fluid-tight manner to a flexible diaphragm I45. The flexible diaphragm is affixed across the opening I 44 in the valve body I3I in a fluid-tight manner. A plate I46 is positioned adjacent the diaphragm I45 to lend structural support thereto at su h times as the clapper I35 is unlatched and open. The keeper bar I42 extends beyond the plate I46, passing through a central opening therein and terminates in a T headed member I41. Lever arms I48 forming a part of an actuating lever I49 pivoted to the valve body by means of a pivot I50, serve to transmit motion to the keeper I39, so as to unlatch the clapper I35, such motion being imparted to the lever I49 by means of a solenoid I5I, the solenoid I5I being of a size capable of sufficient movement to unlatch the clapper I35. The solenoid is electrically connected to a pressure actuated switch on the sprinkler system by means of wires I52 and is enclosed in a housing I53.

This form of solenoid actuated valve can be employed with the sprinkler system heretofore described and illustrated in Figure 3 and it will be observed that it can be employed in connection with the sprinkler system illustrated in Figure 1 provided that the same is modified to the extent only of adding a pressure operated electrical switch so that the solenoid actuated valve may be actuated at such times as the compressed gases are released into the pressure tank and pressure actuated switch of the sprinkler system. It will be observed that the sprinkler system illustrated in Figure 3 can be modified so as to eliminate the electrically actuated automatic valve 62 by substituting therefor the pneumatically actuated automatic valve illustrated inFigures 1 and 2 or its modified form as illustrated in Figure 5. In such a modification, a tubular connection such as illustrated in Figure 1 at 30 can be used to connect the pneumatically actuated valve directly to the compressed gas connection so that the pneumatic valve will operate as described hereinbefore in connection with the modifications referred to. V

a flrezextinguishing system, the combination h illui fi ed nrise-tan a st f fluid filled; conducting ,pipes ,communicating there with, sprinklers on thesaid-pipes, a riser; com municating with the said pipes and terminating above the uppermost, sprinkler, a compressed gas source for establishing :pressurein the said supply tank to force the contents ,therefromand an auxiliary valve controlling a connection between the, said riser and an auxiliary fluid supply, a compressed gas release ,mechanism, a fluid pressure responsive, mechanism positioned on said riser connected, to saidpompressed gas release mechanism for actuating, the said release mech: anism and-thereby opening the said gas source and means actuated by gas from the said source for opening the said auxiliaryvalve., V

2.,In a fire, extinguishing system, the combination of a fluid filled supply tank,-a set of. fluid filled conducting pipes ,com nunicating there- With,sprinklers on the said pipes, a riser com.- municating "with the said pipes and terminating above the uppermost sprinkler, acompressed gas source for establishing pressure in the said supply tank to force'the contents therefrom and a secondary fluid supply source connected-to the saidrisen j an auxiliary valve controlling the said secondary fluid supply source, a compressed gas release mechanism, a fluid pressure responsive mechanism positioned on the said riser and connected to said compressed gas release mechanism, for actuating the said release mechanism and thereby opening the said gas source and means actuated by gas from the said source for opening the said auxiliary valve.

3. In a sprinkler system including a set of distributing pipes and sprinklers, the combination of a fluid filled supply tank and a secondary fluid supply source, the said secondary fluid supply source controlled by means of an automatic valve including a clapper and a latch therefor, means for applying pressure to the said fluid filled supply tank and opening the said auxiliary valve by unlatching the said clapper thereof, said means including a fluid pressure responsive mechanism in communication with the said distributing pipes of the sprinkler system and a compressed gas source for establishing pressure in the said supply tank and a gas releasing mechanism, the said gas releasing mechanism responsive in operation to the said fluid pressure responsive mechanism and the said auxiliary valve responsive in operation to the release of gas from the compressed gas source.

4. A fire extinguishing system provided with dual sources of fluid supply and including a set of fluid conducting pipes communicating therewith, sprinklers on the said pipes and fluid level responsive means in connection with the said pipes for actuating the said system upon a change in the fluid level in the pipes as upon the opening of a sprinkler in controlling a fire, one of the said dual fluid supply sources comprising a pressure tank provided with a compressed gas source and a compressed gas release mechanism for releasing the compressed gas into the said supply tank, the said compressed gas release mechanism actuated by the said fluid level responsive mechanism, the other one of the said dual fluid supply sources comprising a connection to an auxiliary fluid supply and having a valve including a clapper controlling the said connection, clapper releasing mechanism attached to and forming a part of the said valve and means connecting the said "clapper releasing mechanism with the, said compressed gas release mechanism and the? compressed gas'fconveymg' connections thereon; v H 5, A flreQeXtingui'shingsystem including, a set of fluid conducting pipes having]. sprinklers thereon and provided with dual sources of fluid supply, ,fiuid level responsive means m connec-, tion with'the said pipesfor actuating the said system upon afchange in the fluid level in the pipes as upon the opening of a sprinkler in con trolling a fire, one of the said dual fluid. supply sources comprising apressure tank provided with means for establishing pressure "therein, the said. means controlled by the' said fluid level, responsive means, the other. one of the, said dual fluid. supply sources comprising a connection to an auxiliary fluid supply and having a valve including a clapper controlling the, said connec tion, an electrically actuated clapper releasing mechanism attached toand forming a part of the said valve, and means connecting" the said electrically actuated clapper releasing mechanism with the said pressure establishing means the 'means including, a

said pressure establishing pressure actuated electric switch; 6. Ina flreextinguishing system, the combination of a set of fluidfilled conducting pipes. having sprinklers thereon and dual cum supply sources, one of the said dual fluid supply sources comprising a fluid filled supply tank, a compressed gas source for establishing pressure in the said supply tank to force the fluid contents therefrom, a fluid pressure responsive mechanism positioned on the said fluid filled conducting pipes and connected to a main compressed gas release mechanism and adapted to cause the same to release compressed gases into the said supply tank from the said compressed gas source upon a change in fluid pressure in the said pipes, a pressure operated electric switch in connection with said compressed gas release mechanism, the other one of the said dual fluid supply sources comprising a connection to an auxiliary fluid supply and having a valve including a clapper controlling the said connection, an electrically actuated clapper releasing mechanism attached to and forming a part of the said valve, an electric circuit connecting the said electrically actuated clapper releasing mechanism with the said electric switch of the said compressed gas release mechanism.

7. A fire extinguishing apparatus comprising suitable piping having normally closed sprmklers thereon, said sprinklers being disposed to cover a. fire zone, a valve normally closed and shutting off the pressure of fire extinguishing fluid to the said sprinklers, restraining means normally holding said valve closed against pressure of the said extinguishing fluid, trip devices for freeing the restraining means to permit the valve to open and a primary fluid supply comprising a fluid filled pressure tank in communication with said sprinklers, means for establishing pressure in the said fluid filled tank to force the contents therefrom, the said means comprising a compressed gas source and a releasing mechanism, and means for controlling the said releasing mechanism comprising a relatively sensitive controlling device located on and in communication with the said piping and means extending from the said controlling device to the said releasing mechanism for operating the latter, and means extending from the said releasing mechanism to the said tripuevices n twisting" the latter wheiifthe' further is actuate-u. A P es e a k sprinkler system fistaimtion for controlling and extin'g'iiishing'fires cam sistin of a fluid 'fill'e'd ressure tank distributihg pipes containing fluid and 'liavin'g sprinklers arranged to ope'n'and apply fire extinguishing fluid when a fire arises,"rneans-'for establishing pressure in the said pressure tank so as to force the fluid contents 'tnererremthrough the said Sprinklers, saidmeans"iheliid ing a suitable pressure source and a releasing mechanism, a valve controlling tire-admission hit me extinguishing fluid from a. sdondary fluid source to said piping and provided -with-restrain= mg means for holdingthe'saniedn eiosed'pesn tion, a trip device operating on'said restraining means to free said'valve, and means extending from the said release mechanism to said trip device for operating the latter, a fluid pressure responsive device located on the said distribut= ing piping; and means-extending from the said fluid pressure device to the said main releasing mechanism for operating the latter.

9. In a fire extinguishing apparatus, ineluding a distributing system normally filled with extinguishing liquid, and a pressure tank fluid supply source and means forapplyin'g fluid-pressure to the said pressure tank; an auxiliary fliiid supply source connected; said distributing system by way of anautomatie valve", means actuatin the said automatieva'lve in response to the ep piica'ti on of pressure to the said pressure tank.

10. in a fire extinguishing apparatus including a fluid filled supply tank, and a'riser and a set of distributing pipes having sprinklers communicati'n'g therewith, and means for establishing' pressure in the said supply tank to force the contents therefrom; an-auxilia'ry' valve controlli'n'g a connection between said riser andanauxiliary fluid supply, means operatively'connectin'g' said auxiliary valve with said compressed 'gas source, ror opening said auxiliary valve in response to fluid pressurereleased frdm said compressed'gas source upon actuation of the said fireextinguishing system.

11. In a fire extinguishing apparatus including a distributing system having sprinklers, a pressure tank fluid supply source and means for applying fluid pressure to the said pressure tank; an auxiliary fluid supply source connected with the said distributing system by way of an auto matic valve, means for actuating the said automatic valve in response to the application of pressure to thesaid pressure tan HARRY N. RIDER. 

